John Hinckley Jnr, the man who tried to assassinate former Republican President Ronald Reagan, is to be released from prison after serving a 35 year sentence. His release is just in time for the upcoming US Presidential election and though he cannot vote due to being a convicted felon, experts note he can still have his say on the outcome.

US election analyst Fred State said of Hinckley Jnr’s release: “Republicans are typically ‘tough on crime’, however they do like shooting. So Hinckley Jnr is a grey area for the party on the one hand they believe he should be locked up but on the other they’ll go to the grave to defend his right to have a gun.

“Mitt Romney in particular has expressed strong support for both Mr Hinkley Jnr’s freedom and his right to bear arms.”

It is believed the requirements of Mr Hinckley Jr’s release are that he attend the inauguration of Donald Trump should he win the contest.